How far is Frederick, MD from District of Columbia, DC?
The driving distance from Frederick, MD to District of Columbia, DC is about 55.1 miles (88.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 40.8 miles (65.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 14m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The second most populous city in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Frederick and District of Columbia.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Frederick and District of Columbia.
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1
Start on East Patrick Street
37 m · 8 sec · East Patrick Street
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2
Turn right onto North Market Street
133 m · 19 sec · North Market Street
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3
Turn right onto East Church Street
1577 ft · 48 sec · East Church Street
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4
Turn right onto North East Street
1 km · 2 min · North East Street
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East Street
31 m · 2 sec · East Street
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6
Exit the roundabout onto East Street
742 ft · 15 sec · East Street
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7
Continue on Buckeystown Pike
1.7 mi · 3 min · Buckeystown Pike
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8
Take the ramp straight toward I 270 South
1247 ft · 34 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Eisenhower Memorial Highway
21.6 mi · 27 min · Eisenhower Memorial Highway
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10
Keep slight left
6.6 mi · 9 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 270 South: Silver Spring, College Park
2.8 mi · 4 min
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12
Merge slight right onto Capital Beltway
3.7 mi · 5 min · Capital Beltway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward MD 97 South: Georgia Avenue South, Silver Spring
1376 ft · 36 sec
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14
Turn right onto Georgia Avenue
2.2 mi · 5 min · Georgia Avenue
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15
Turn left onto Blair Road Northwest
1.5 km · 2 min · Blair Road Northwest
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Blair Road Northwest
1126 ft · 52 sec · Blair Road Northwest
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17
Turn right onto 3rd Street Northwest
1 mi · 3 min · 3rd Street Northwest
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18
Turn left onto Missouri Avenue Northwest
2193 ft · 1 min · Missouri Avenue Northwest
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19
Turn right onto North Capitol Street Northwest
2812 ft · 2 min · North Capitol Street Northwest
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20
Keep left to continue on Hawaii Avenue Northeast
128 m · 18 sec · Hawaii Avenue Northeast
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21
Continue on North Capitol Street Northwest
1342 ft · 48 sec · North Capitol Street Northwest
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22
Turn slight left
32 m · 8 sec
-
23
Turn left onto Fort Drive Northeast
703 ft · 14 sec · Fort Drive Northeast
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24
Continue on Taylor Street Northeast
674 ft · 16 sec · Taylor Street Northeast
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25
Turn slight right onto Harewood Road Northeast
1.1 km · 2 min · Harewood Road Northeast
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26
Continue on 4th Street Northeast
1.5 km · 3 min · 4th Street Northeast
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27
Turn left onto V Street Northeast
46 m · 9 sec · V Street Northeast
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28
Turn right
107 m · 26 sec
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Frederick and District of Columbia.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Eisenhower Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto Eisenhower Memorial Highway
21.6 mi · 00h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Frederick and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near District of Columbia.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Frederick to District of Columbia?
The road trip is about 55.1 miles (88.7 km) and usually takes 01h 14m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Gaithersburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.8 miles from Frederick and 32.3 miles from District of Columbia.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 40.8 miles (65.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.93 one way or $15.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Frederick and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near District of Columbia.
Stop Ideas Near Gaithersburg
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Griffith Park at City Hall
Gaithersburg City Hall
City of Rockville City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Gaithersburg.
Rockville station
Washington Union Station
Frederick Airport, MD
Frederick, MD
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Frederick and District of Columbia. Straight-line distance: 40.78 mi (65.63 km).
#1 Frederick
The second most populous city in Frederick County, Maryland.
| Population | 73,308 |
| Coordinates | 39.4142700, -77.4105400 |
| Altitude | 87 |
| Country | United States |
#2 District of Columbia
The District of Columbia, a federal district, is located on the Potomac River, bordering Maryland and Virginia.
| Population | 712,816 |
| Coordinates | 38.9170600, -77.0002500 |
| Altitude | 27 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-77.000032, 38.917145)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 89 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.09 | $7.93 | $15.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.60 | $8.92 | $17.84 |
| Premium | $4.95 | $9.61 | $19.22 |
| Diesel | $5.98 | $11.60 | $23.20 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Maryland · May 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.